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There has been an exponential growth in online grocery delivery (e-grocery delivery) since COVID-19 hit. At the height of the pandemic in 2020, retailers in the USA saw a 63.9% increase in e-grocery sales. For Europe, the prediction is that e-grocery sales in France and UK accounts for 17% and 22%, respectively, of all grocery sales in 2023. However, grocery retail is a business with small margins. Many retailers in the space are looking to improve efficiency with warehouse automation and robotization. Last-mile delivery is often underestimated. In this article, we share 4 areas where optimization can help retailers drive profitability in e-grocery fulfillment.
By Goos Kant, Professor Logistic Optimization Tilburg University & Managing Partner ORTEC
Seven ORTECers, one week of hackathon, and lots of clever engineering: this is how we won the VRPTW track of the 12th DIMACS Implementation Challenge! Our fit-for-purpose solver was the fastest and best performing in the Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows (VRPTW) category – beating many strong competitors.
In this new series, we’re asking leading scientists in data, technology, and artificial intelligence how science can contribute to today’s challenges. Together with you, we aim to discover how we can turn theory into practice, making use of scientific research to make the world a better place.
Three questions for Prof. dr. ir. Dick den Hertog, professor of Operations Research at the University of Amsterdam
Various developments – both technological and social – are putting pressure on companies’ revenue models and the organization of different fields of expertise. According to ORTEC’s Patrick Hennen, our interlocutors signal that climate change, digitization, and the call for more diversity, inclusion and transparency influence the way we do business, the way we look at data and the way we envision the future of our planet. “And Covid-19 has simply accelerated ‘Industry 4.0’.”
Will AI take over our jobs? Perhaps even take over the world? And what about malicious intent? There are all kinds of myths surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI). With extensive focus on such issues, little attention is being devoted to the opportunities that algorithms and AI offer us. There are opportunities all around us, even for solving complex (social) issues. Yet... these opportunities need to be identified and tackled. What (hidden) opportunities are out there? What are the myths? And are these myths also risks? In this second part out of two, we take a closer look at the myths. Missed part one about the opportunities? You can read it here.
A conversation with Gerrit Timmer, Co-founder and Chief Science Officer (CSO) at ORTEC
Bremen, March 2022 - Software company ORTEC GmbH today announced that its logistics add-on, ORTEC for SAP S/4HANA® rel. 4.0, has achieved SAP certification as integration with SAP S/4HANA. The certification was issued by the SAP Integration and Certification Center in Walldorf.
Volkert Engelsman is CEO of Eosta, which imports, packages and distributes organic and fair-trade products in Europe and beyond. This multinational company represents more than a thousand growers from six continents and believes firmly that the foods and agriculture industries require an urgent overhaul in terms of health, social inclusion and environmental impact: “As things are, we’re losing 30 soccer fields of fertile land every minute due to intensive farming practices. We believe there’s a different way.” To help make the right decisions, data are of crucial importance. Engelsman and ORTEC’s Frans van Helden sit down to chat about the importance of data, and more.
Interview with Volkert Engelsman, CEO Eosta
Starting Episode About Circular Economy and Circularity
Part 1
The term circular economy may seem relatively new, but it’s based on ancient principles that will shape the way we do business in the future. Circularity will become instrumental to achieve profitable growth while protecting the environment. It can reach its full potential when applied systematically, using current technologies and innovations that are still in development. This article is the first in a series that will explore the digital and physical aspects of circularity from different perspectives.
By Sven Seidler, Director Consulting, ORTEC Data Science & Consulting
Mathematics has unnoticeably an enormous impact on our lives. Mathematics is everywhere. It helps us to make better decisions, and to solve tomorrow’s challenges. Discover yourself how our universe communicates in numbers.
The driver shortage is a big problem, especially in parcel delivery. In the Netherlands, 46% of transport companies say that the shortage is limiting their business operations; there are currently over 10,000 vacancies. On top of this, customers are becoming more demanding: they want to receive their packages on time, and they want to be informed accurately about parcel deliveries. This puts more stress on the driver’s side.
In this article, we will cover four ways to engage parcel delivery drivers and improve their satisfaction at work using optimization and technology.
By Goos Kant, Professor Logistic Optimization Tilburg University & Managing Partner ORTEC